Berger, last season’s rookie of the year on the PGA Tour, picked up nine birdies to surge clear with an eight-under-par 62 at the TPC River Highlands.
The 23-year-old posted a 15-under 195 total, three ahead of Scotland’s Russell Knox (64), South African Tyrone Van Aswegen (65) and American Russell Henley (65).
Low scores were plentiful on a day when Ernie Els made his first ace on the PGA Tour since 2004, using a seven-iron from 171 yards at the 16th.
“I made a bunch of putts and that’s what it takes to shoot a low number out here,” world number 40 Berger told PGATour.com.
“It didn’t really feel like I was that many under par until I looked at my scorecard walking down the 18th hole but sometimes it happens like that.
“I’m striking it really well, driving it well and that’s going to be a big key tomorrow.”
Berger, who won the St Jude Classic in June, was not the only player to go low.
SIMPLE ATTITUDE
Knox adopted a simple attitude and it paid off with birdies at the first three holes.
“Aim at the pin, you might hit it there,” said the Scottish winner of the WGC-HSBC Champions event in Shanghai in November.
“I played beautifully. I had loads of chances, obviously made some, which was great, missed a couple.”
Van Aswegen hit back well after dropping a stroke at the first.
“I started off real nervous,” he said. “I wasn’t feeling too good after that bogey but settled down, found a good rhythm and made some birdies coming in. Hopefully tomorrow I can find a rhythm a little earlier.”
Fellow South African Els ended the day tied for 60th but the hole-in-one was a nice consolation for the four-times major winner.
“You hit a lot of good shots but rarely do they go in,” he said. “It was a real thrill.
“All of us, from the 24-handicapper to the pro, it’s a great feeling, a feeling of elation.
“I think everybody feels the same way. When the ball goes in we’re all kind of surprised.”
(Reporting by Andrew Both; Editing by Tony Jimenez)
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